It's not that you don't have a point. Any approach blindly will miss nuance. I had to reread the article to make sure I had not missed a conversation about existing smokers. I'm not sure where the policy addresses existing smokers. The article expressed hope that the government will provide cessation support, but not much else.

Not exactly worded as such, but my comment is saying that raising taxes will affect both new and existing users.

I think my biggest concern with making it illegal is brought on by the USA prohibition era. Taxing it into the ground without providing a direction for people to go will most likely do the same.

Maybe a more clear path would have been to both restrict access AND increase taxes. I have seen some places increase the smoking age further. Maybe increase the age every other year. Leave synthetic items alone for now, pushing people to zyn, vape, gum, mints and patches. Later, increase on items that are now for cessation.

The reason I bring up the taxation is because it can go directly to public health funding.